Examples Of Insecurity In Othello

In a passage from William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago dramatizes a subsequent conflict between Othello and Desdemona when he warns the former of a green-eyed monster, the manifestation of jealousy. As the play progresses, Othello becomes more like this beast that Iago told him about. Instead of being the honorable and respectable character he was, Othello now displays a more questionable personality, one that causes him to doubt his wife of infidelity. Even though Iago does play a role, it is mostly due to Othello’s insecurity that transforms him into a monstrous person.

Even before Iago exerts his influence over Othello, we can observe the inklings of Othello’s insecurity and the doubt he has regarding his relationship with Desdemona. During his audience with the Duke, Othello describes the circumstances by which he became acquainted with Desdemona. He says on the occasions that he told Brabantio of his life stories, he would also tell Desdemona the same stories. Then, Othello self-consciously proposes that the sole reason why Desdemona loves him is because she pitied his misfortunes: “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them” (I.iii.193-194). Othello feels way because as

When Iago advises Othello to be wary of Desdemona, Othello declares to Iago that he is sure that Desdemona is chaste. Yet, he cannot help but think Desdemona is not who she seems to be. When he says, “And yet, how nature erring from itself,” he is proposing that Desdemona had departed her wifely duties for some other man (III.iii.267). Later, when Iago says, “Her will, recoiling to her better judgement, / May fall to match you with her country forms / and happily repent,” he is alluding that it is Desdemona’s nature to go after someone of her own race (III.iii.276-278). While entertaining this thought, Othello